Hernandez has been very vocal in the media immediately following the Dodgers’ World Series victory that he wants to remain in Los Angeles beyond just this year.

 

“The Dodgers will be my priority in free agency. I will do whatever is possible to return. It’s not in my hands, but if it were I’d pick them,” Hernandez told reporters.

 

While this is good news for the Dodgers, you can’t deny the fact that Hernandez has played above his pay grade. He’s played like the kind of player that is set to land a three- or four-year deal worth close to $100 million.

 

With the Dodgers pursuing some of the bigger names in free agency this offseason, including rumors swirling that they could be in on Soto, it’s tough to guarantee that they will have the money to sign Hernandez among others.

 

There’s also a chance that Hernandez was still running on adrenaline in that post-celebration interview. After sitting for a few months and discussing things with his family, there’s a much better chance that he ends up open to going somewhere else if the money is right.

 

But, at the end of the day, the Dodgers may not want to pay him the money that he deserves. If Hernandez is willing to take a pay cut to stay in Los Angeles, he will be back, but if the Dodgers land big-name free agents, it’s tough to guarantee they will have $25 million a year to commit to Hernandez.

 

There’s also a chance that Hernandez was still running on adrenaline in that post-celebration interview. After sitting for a few months and discussing things with his family, there’s a much better chance that he ends up open to going somewhere else if the money is right.

 

But, at the end of the day, the Dodgers may not want to pay him the money that he deserves. If Hernandez is willing to take a pay cut to stay in Los Angeles, he will be back, but if the Dodgers land big-name free agents, it’s tough to guarantee they will have $25 million a year to commit to Hernandez.